Tune in Tomorrow...

Tune in Tomorrow...
November 1990
Odyssey
Comedy, Romance, Historical
VHS
B-

This is an uneven but pretty good film, where the main plot, of a 1951 romance between Martin, a 21-year-old New Orleans man (played by 26-year-old Keanu Reeves with a shaky Southern accent) and his 36-year-old "aunt" (actually his aunt-by-marriage's sister) Julia (42-year-old Barbara Hershey), who's been living in New York, is overshadowed by the goings on, on and off the air, at the radio station where Martin works.  Reeves and Hershey have decent chemistry together, and the age difference doesn't seem like an especially big deal, but the problem is that their characters aren't particularly interesting or likable, together or separately.  And the way that soap-opera writer Pedro Carmichael (Peter Falk) manipulates them, and that they fall for it, adds to the faultiness of the romance.  (When Martin shows up with a gun and then it's resolved through unfunny humor, it leaves a bad taste.)

Luckily, Pedro's machinations for the characters of Kings of the Garden District more than make up for this.  While some plain-looking and -sounding radio performers act, we see the scenes played out with stars like John Larroquette and Dan Hedaya (as two brothers), Hope Lange, Elizabeth McGovern, Buck Henry (as a priest) and so on.  Incest is a theme on the radio soap as well, but taken to ridiculous heights.  And Pedro's unremitting and unmotivated hatred for Albanians leads to some of the funniest lines.  I'd almost recommend you fast-forward through the romance parts, but that "reality impacts" the soap.  And the Wynton Marsalis soundtrack is nice, although I'm not a jazz fan generally.

Richard B. Shull, who was Emery Bush in The Big Bus, is Leonard Pando (the actor Pedro convinces to masturbate to improve his acting).  Irving Metzman, who was the Theater Manager in The Purple Rose of Cairo, is the Producer of Detroit Radio here, while Crystal Field was in the audience there and is Josephine Sanders here.  (She was also in Radio Days.)  Bill Moor, who's Duke Vermont here, was U.S. Consul in Ishtar.

Peter Gallagher, playing sister-lover Richard Quince here, would be Dan Riley in Bob Roberts.  Jerome Dempsey who plays Sam & Sid (the split-personality/ twins who run the station), would be a board member in The Hudsucker Proxy.

This movie is based on the Mario Vargas Llosa novel Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter (obviously not set in New Orleans), which I couldn't get through when I tried it years ago.

The Spirit of '76

The Spirit of '76

October 12, 1990

Columbia

Comedy, Sci-Fi, Historical

DVD
B-

This is even more of a decade-straddler than its peers, since not only was it filmed in the summer of 1989, but it's mostly set in the summer of 1976.  If this sounds a little early for '70s nostalgia, you're correct.  The film was made for a low budget and didn't make much back.  Even "writer 'n director" Lucas Reiner (son of Carl, who plays Dr. Von Mobil, and little brother of Rob, who is the est-like Dr. Cash) admits on the commentary that they should've waited at least another four or five years.  By the mid-'90s, The Brady Bunch hit the big screen, twice, and before long That '70s Show became very popular on the little screen.

The slight premise, in a not quite rip-off of Bill & Ted, is that three people from 2176 (played by David Cassidy, Wonder Years' Olivia d'Abo, and Geoff Hoyle, who was Scoop the Reporter in Popeye) use a time machine (made out of two hot tubs, much more '70s than B & T's phone booth) to go to 1776 and rediscover what America was founded on, but the machine malfunctions by a couple centuries.  Luckily, it's the Fourth of July, and the Bicentennial, and Julie Brown as "lusty Miss Liberty" is among those who "explain" the founding principles.

The movie is full of '70s touches.  In fact, it's arguably all style and not much substance.  There's enough to look at and listen to that you probably won't much mind.  From Pop Rocks to pop music, much of what you remember (or at least have heard of) about the '70s is represented, including very colorful costumes designed by a teenaged Sofia Coppola.  There are also a lot of cameos, from people I associate more with the '80s (Devo, Moon Unit Zappa) to authentically '70s icons like Iron Eyes Cody and Leif Garrett, the latter in a scene-stealing role as "Eddie Trojan," brother to the insufferable Rodney Snodgrass (played by nobody you've heard of).  There are moments when L. Reiner parodies various '70s movie conventions, like the Inevitable Car Chase, but the movie remains more goofy than clever.

Note, the sci-fi is, per budget, not particularly well done, but it is fun to see the hand-held devices that the futuristic trio use to type, call, and take pictures with.  Who knew?

Arnold F. Turner, who's Voice Talent here, would be Officer Axelrod in The Brady Bunch Movie.

The Tall Guy

The Tall Guy
Sept. 21, 1990
Working Title Films
Comedy, romance
DVD
B

This is another decade-straddler, released in '90, listed as '89 in IMDB, and in fact copyright '88.  Similarly, it's a very British movie with a very American star, Jeff Goldblum.  He's paired with then almost 30-year-old Emma Thompson, in her first film, although she'd done some stage and TV work.  The director Mel Smith (who'd made Morons from Outer Space a few years before) and writer Richard Curtis (whose later films I have mixed feelings about) both have uncredited cameos.  And Rowan Atkinson, who is cruelly parodying himself, had worked with Curtis on Black Adder.  (Much of the cast here had small roles on that TV series.)  So there's an endearing semi-newbies-larking-about feel to the movie, even a quarter century later.

As in Morons, the closing credits show comedy highlights edited jerkily to a pop song, in this case Madness's "It Must Be Love," which earlier appears in a sort of music-video, where much of the cast (including Goldblum's underwear) sing along.  There are in fact two great sequences in this film, surrounded by some pretty good stuff: the room-wrecking sex scene and the five minutes of the stage-musical version of The Elephant Man, known as Elephant.  (It's never clear if this includes an exclamation point.)  As funny as what happens onstage is, the best part is Thompson's trying-to-be-supportive-but-terribly-appalled reaction, as Goldblum's "nymphomaniac" live-in landlady (platonic with him) eats the cheesiness up.

Getting back to that sex scene, when I first saw this movie with a roomful of friends about twenty years ago, we all laughed uproariously at it, then rewound and laughed hard a second time.  It is also sexy of course, but then I have crushes on both Goldblum and Thompson.  The thing is, they both look far from their best here.  Her hair is too short, his too long; and their clothes are unflattering.  But somehow that adds to the charm of the movie, that it's deliberately unglamorous.  And they both have amazing eyes and smiles, especially when they look at each other, so who cares really?  He's playing a struggling actor named Dexter King (working for "Ron Anderson," Curtis was being semi-autobiographical), and she's a deadpan nurse named Kate Lemon.  The plot is slight but it's more of a character comedy, and the characters are definitely interesting, including the supporting cast.

Two decades ago, I'd have rated this higher, a B+ or maybe even an A-, but I have seen it several times and, as with Morons, much of the novelty has worn off.  It's the kind of movie I wouldn't want to oversell, since it is just a little gem, relatively obscure in Thompson's and of course Goldblum's ouevre.  But as "un film de Mel Smith," it's très bon.

Robin Driscoll, who was Space Pilot in Morons, is one of the Actors in Agent's Office here.  Another future Harry-Potterite, then 25ish Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), makes his big-screen debut here, as Doctor #2.

It must be love, love, love.

Zapped Again!

Zapped Again!
April 14, 1990
Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
Comedy, Sci-Fi, Romance
VHS
B

This movie is far better than it has any right to be, considering it's a direct-to-video sequel to a movie where Scott Baio uses telekinesis to undress girls.  It's been a long while since I've seen the original Zapped (1982), but I remember it as being much less likable.  Not that this movie's protagonist, Kevin, doesn't abuse his powers in a similar fashion, but that's a surprisingly small part of the action.

Like Think Big, this is a decade-straddler, made in '89, released the following year.  But much more than that movie about twin truckers, this high school comedy shows a surprisingly '90s attitude towards the '80s,  That is, yes, we've got some of the usual high school movie stereotypes, from a shallow cheerleader to a horny football coach (Lyle Alzado).  But the nerds don't at all fit '80s stereotypes.  From wise-cracking Kevin to the gorgeous "plain brainiac" to the heavy-metal couple, this is not your usual Science Club.  (Only Elliott seems traditionally geeky, and even he has been given a good sense of humor.)  And the cheerleader and one of the jocks turn out to be nice people.  Heck, the coach quotes e. e. cummings to impress the female principal!

And throughout, there's an offbeat sense of humor, like in the way that Kevin both mocks and befriends the surfer-sounding President of the Ski Club.  Karen Black, who's more memorable in her small role here as a substitute than she was as the mother of The Invisible Kid, and Linda Blair also tweak their roles a bit.  The sci-fi isn't particularly notable.  The effects are cheesy and/or cheap, but like I said, it's not that important to the movie.

Much of the film is driven by the chemistry between Kevin and Lucy, the smart girl who he somehow sees as just a pal, until one night when they have a silly and not all explicit love scene.  (My copy is off late-night ABC, but I did watch a couple Youtube videos to find out what I was missing in terms of nudity.)  They're both very likable, especially together, which I don't recall being able to say of Baio and Felice Schachter.

The movie ends with a video, a full-fledged music video with a separate director.  The band and the cast sing "She's Gonna Get It," and it's actually pretty good.  (It includes the phrase "Zapped Again" but is not a title song per se.)  Then there's a blooper where the Science Club is throwing things and Lucy tells us to not try this at home.  Even with a videocamera and a small budget, I don't think most of us would get as good results.

Brent Hinkley, who plays Larry here, would be Bif the Patriot in Bob Roberts.  Linda Larkin, who doesn't say much as Joanne, would ironically provide the voice of Jasmine in Aladdin.

Paving the way for a more nerd-friendly era.

Think Big

Think Big
March 1990
Concorde Pictures
Comedy, Action, Sci-Fi
VHS
B-

While this isn't a very impressive movie to kick off the '90s with, I nonetheless find it entertaining.  It gets the job done, even if it's never particularly plausible.  "The Barbarians," twin body-builders, play the main characters (truck drivers hauling toxic waste) and sing the title song (over opening and closing credits).  Claudia Christian (later of Babylon 5) is a psychologist.  Ari Meyers (fresh off Kate & Allie) is an electronics genius who dresses like an average late '80s/early '90s teen.  Martin Mull is a weasely villain, and Richard Moll (with hair) is more recognizable than he was as the Abominable Snowman in Caveman.  John Carradine is a repo man.  Michael Winslow, as the twins' friend, isn't given much to do, not even sound effects.

Peter Lupus, as Bad Guy #1, doesn't look drastically different than he did a quarter-century earlier as Flex Martian in Muscle Beach Party, although obviously less creatively named.  David Bowe, who plays a security guard, was Mountain in Back to the Beach.

Earth Girls Are Easy

Earth Girls Are Easy
May 12, 1989
Vestron Pictures
Comedy, Sci-Fi, Romance, Musical
VHS
B+

This last of my movies from the '80s was actually made in '87 and released to indifference two years later, but it holds up as one of the gems of the decade.  It is funny, sweet, romantic, sexy, giddy, colorful, and yes, very '80s in the best sense.  When three furry but attractive-when-shaven aliens land in the San Fernando Valley, it's hard to say which side has more of a culture shock.  They specifically land in the pool of the house that Valerie (Geena Davis) shares with her philandering fiance Ted (Charles Rocket).  The aliens are played by Davis's then-husband Jeff Goldblum (as Mac), Jim Carrey (as Wiploc), and Damon Wayans (as Zeebo).  Note, this is even before Carrey was "the white guy" on Wayans's In Living Color.  It's so long ago that Carrey and Wayans are described as "stand-up comics" on the videobox I have!

And of course this movie "introduces" Julie Brown (despite her MTV appearances and indeed earlier movie roles).  Her song inspired this movie's title and concept, and she cowrote this movie.  There are even scenes, notably "Because I'm a Blond," that are basically just music videos.  (The soundtrack also contains a couple B-52s songs.)  But mostly Brown's contribution is as the best friend/boss you wish you had, Candy Pink.  The other cast member of note is the versatile Michael McKean as Woody the pool guy.

I said of Foul Play that I couldn't think of a cuter onscreen couple than Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn, but Goldblum and Davis come close.  They both are gorgeous here, and often underdressed, so they're certainly attractive separately, but together?  Hubba-hubba!  While Wiploc and Zeebo are mostly interested in partying, leader Mac is mostly interested in Valerie, and he's kind and sympathetic to her, even when she's confused about her fickle fiance.  The aliens have a "love touch," which in some scenes leads to questionable humor (including two ostensibly straight cops that fall for each other much less naturally than the pair in Who's That Girl), but also leads to a lovely love scene between Mac and Valerie.  You'll wonder why she's hung up on Ted so long, but it gives the plot what little conflict it has.  I almost went with an A- on this movie, because it is such fun in so many ways, but it is a bit too meandering.  But what a journey!

This is pretty obscure, but Larri Thomas is a Curl Up and Dye Dancer and was Woman in Carriage in Mary Poppins.  Another couple of CUaD Dancers, twins Karen and Sharon Owens, danced in Girls Just Want to Have Fun.  Cowriter Terrence McNally plays the Soap Opera Doctor here and was the Policeman in Nine to Five.  And there are a few TV faces, from Larry Linville to Nedra Volz to one of the Head of the Class kids.

Troop Beverly Hills

Troop Beverly Hills
March 24, 1989
Fries Entertainment
Comedy
VHS
C+

While there are things to like about this movie-- Betty Thomas's performance as the villainess, the redheaded-in-this Shelley Long's wardrobe, and the Beach Boys song "Make It Big," which plays over the opening and closing credits-- I must admit I find it a bit toothless and forgettable.  One big flaw is that while Long's character and the pack of not-Girl-Scouts are likable enough, I didn't find myself at all drawn in by their problems, because everything is so cliched and formulaic.  (Even Long's character's estrangement from Craig T. Nelson is blah.)  Mary Gross is the most conflicted character, as a nice person caught up Thomas's schemes, but her problem is also easily resolved.  The other major flaw is that there are a whole bunch of cameos and it's on a sub-Scooby-Doo level, e.g. "Look, it's Pia Zadora," and then she's given little to do, unlike in Hairspray.  (The one exception is Ted McGinley, who boasts-- boasts!-- about being Ace the photographer on The Love Boat, as if he knows that someday they'll name a "Jump the Shark" webpage after him.)

The script was written by two female Saturday Night Live writers from the first half of the '80s, so it's not unreasonable to expect a sharper satire.  Even the jokes about the Marcos-like dictator couple are pretty bland.  Not only Clueless, but this movie's peer Earth Girls Are Easy would more intelligently and more amusingly mock the Southern Californian lifestyle.

Mary Gregory, who plays the judge, was Dr. Melik in Sleeper.  Willie Garson, who plays Bruce, would be Phil's Assistant Kenny in Groundhog Day.  Betty Thomas and Shelley Long must've gotten along a lot better than their characters did, since Thomas would direct Long in the first big-screen Brady Bunch movie.

The battle for Mary Gross's soul begins!